Is Baptism By Immersion Better?

May 17, 2009

Is baptism by immersion better?

Why do some churches baptize by pouring water on the forehead and others by immersion?

Is one way better than the other?

Lynelle

Dear Lynelle,

In terms of what baptism means and accomplishes – escape from sin and death into the life of the Risen Jesus – immersion is no better than pouring. But in the dramatic power of the symbol of the water, immersion is better.

The power of the sacrament of baptism is not from the method of bringing the water into play, but from the direction given to the pouring or the immersion by the words of Jesus, who commanded us to baptize “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit,” (Matthew
28:19).

Saint Paul said, “Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of
life” (Romans 6:3–4). Down into the death of Jesus, and up again into a new life.

Even on the level of symbol and drama, a trickle of water is still water. It still means and symbolizes life, as in drinking and cooling. It also symbolizes death, as in a hurricane or a drowning. This union of words and water in the Church makes this action the sacrament of baptism. John Hamrogue, C.Ss.R.